ArcaMax

In addition to advocating for her kids to have a close relationship with you, it’s possible that she feels left behind, as you make plans that don’t include her and your young son.

Building a relationship with stepchildren takes time, effort, and patience. Show her that you are willing to put in the time and effort to continue to build a healthy and positive relationship with them. In my opinion, this should not preclude an annual fishing trip, which, in time, your younger son (and perhaps stepchildren) could join.

Dear Amy: This is a “trivial” subject that has nonetheless bothered me for years.

My parents have the original Trivial Pursuit game, circa 1983.

At various get-togethers, my mom will drag out this relic, and enthusiastically try to rally us around a good old game of "General Knowledge."

I feel like she should upgrade her game, at least to a game from this century. We go round and round, arguing about the obviously outdated questions, which the parents insist be answered in the vernacular of what the correct answer was, back in 1983.

Any suggestions to update, or at least omit the blatantly wrong answers, fall upon deaf ears.

I've become so exasperated by their childish behavior, and refusal to update, that I simply refuse to participate.

We used to enjoy the familial camaraderie, but it now seems ludicrous to me, when most of these questions are no longer relevant.

Any suggestions?

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